:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Time_WeightedRateofReturn_GettyImages-1171268236-5413b837527440dc97946b47c1cdfa01.jpg "What Is Time-Weighted Rate of Return (TWR)? (1)")
Key Takeaways
- TWR measures the compound growth rate of a portfolio, breaking up returns into multiple sub-periods of time.
- TWR is a valuable tool for measuring the investment performance of a mutual fund manager or comparing the performance of multiple fund managers.
- Unlike TWR, rate of return is a simple calculation: an investment’s percentage return based on the initial investment and the net profit or loss.
- Individual investors don’t generally use TWR to calculate their investment returns—rate of return is a more suitable formula for that purpose.
Definition and Examples of Time-Weighted Rate of Return (TWR)
Investors and analysts can use multiple measurements to calculate the rate of return on a particular investment or portfolio. Some measurements can provide distorted results due to the effects of incoming and outgoing cash flow. The time-weighted rate of return (TWR) uses a unique formula that eliminates these misleading effects.
TWR might be used when comparing the performance of multiple mutual funds. Fund managers aren’t responsible for the cash flows into and out of the mutual fund. So to include those cash flows in the returns would provide misleading results. This measurement helps calculate returns separate from those cash flows.
- Alternative name: Geometric mean, geometric average
- Abbreviation: TWR, TWRR
How Does Time-Weighted Rate of Return Work?
TWR calculates the rate of return for multiple sub-periods based on changes in cash flow. It’s essentially a calculation of the investment returns that a manager generates over specific time periods that are geometrically linked or compounded. The formula used to calculate the time-weighted rate of return looks like this:
TWR = [(1+HP1) x (1+HP2) x (1+HPn)] – 1
In this formula:
- n = the number of sub-periods
- HP = (End Value - (Beginning Value + Cash Flow)) / (Beginning Value + Cash Flow)
- HPn = Return for sub-period n
To calculate TWR, you must find the return for each sub-period by subtracting the sum of the starting balance and the cash flow from the ending balance. Then you divide the result by the sum of the starting balance and cash flow.
Any time new cash flow moves into or out of the fund, a new sub-period begins. After adding the cash flow to each HP value, it is multiplied by other cash flows.
Let’s use this formula to look at a more realistic example. Suppose you wanted to use TWR to calculate the performance of a mutual fund. You initially invest with a contribution of $100,000, and at the end of the first month, your portfolio is valued at $100,850. You would run the following formula, which is a part of the total TWR formula:
HP1 = (100,850 - 100,000) / 100,000 = 0.8%
Now suppose that during the second month, you make an additional contribution of $1,000. By the end of the period, your portfolio balance is $102,870. The formula would look like this:
HP2 = (102,870 - (100,850 + 1,000)) / (100,850 + 1,000) = 1%
Finally, in the third month, you make the same contribution of $1,000. By the end of the month, your portfolio balance is $109,100. The formula looks like this:
HP3 = (103,390 - (102,870 + 1,000)) / (102,870 + 1,000) = -0.4%
Once you’ve done the calculations for each separate sub-period, you can run the full TWR formula. Here’s what that would look like, using the numbers above:
TWR = [(1+.008) x (1+0.01) x (1+ -.004)] – 1 = 1.4%
In the example above, you can see that your time-weighted rate of return is 1.4% over a three-month period.
Note
You can use the data derived from TWR calculations to compare one mutual fund with another—without skewing the results with differing cash flows.
Time-Weighted Rate of Return vs. Rate of Return
Rate of return (RoR) is another method for calculating the profit or loss on an investment over a specific period of time. Unlike TWR, this calculation doesn’t eliminate the effects of incoming and outgoing cash flows.
| Time-Weighted Rate of Return | Rate of Return |
| Eliminates the effects of cash flow | Doesn’t eliminate the effects of cash flow |
| Suitable for comparing the performance of multiple investments | Suitable for calculating the performance of a single investment |
Rate of return, expressed as a percentage, calculates the return on a particular investment using the initial investment and the total profit or loss from the investment. The formula to calculate RoR is:
RoR = (Net profit or loss / initial investment) x 100
Instead of accounting for incoming and outgoing cash flows, it simply counts the total investment as one large sum. When the ROR is positive, it is considered an investment gain and when the ROR is negative, it reflects a loss. The rate of return can be valuable for an individual investor to determine their return on a specific investment. However, it’s not as helpful in comparing the returns of multiple portfolios.
What TWR Means for Individual Investors
It’s important for investors to understand the returns on investments in their portfolios or investments they’re considering adding to their portfolios.
Note
TWR is a useful tool for analysts calculating and comparing asset performance within a portfolio but it requires a more complicated formula than is ideal for most investors.
If you’re simply looking for the return on a particular investment, the rate of return may be a more useful calculation. You can find return information by visiting either your online brokerage account or the brokerage’s website to track a particular asset.
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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
RBC Global Asset Management. "Understanding Mutual Fund Rates of Return." Pages 1-2. Accessed May 3, 2021.
Rodgers & Associates. "Why is Time-Weighted Return a Good Way to Track Performance in Retirement?" Accessed May 3, 2021.
Corporate Finance Institute. "Rate of Return." Accessed May 3, 2021.
As an expert in finance and investment analysis, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to elucidate the concepts discussed in the article. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of financial instruments, portfolio management, and investment evaluation.
The article revolves around the concept of Time-Weighted Rate of Return (TWR), a crucial metric for assessing the performance of investment portfolios, particularly in the context of mutual funds. Let's delve into the key concepts highlighted in the article:
1. Time-Weighted Rate of Return (TWR):
- TWR measures the compound growth rate of a portfolio over multiple sub-periods of time.
- It is a valuable tool for evaluating the performance of mutual fund managers or comparing the performance of multiple fund managers.
- TWR eliminates the distorting effects of cash flows, providing a more accurate representation of investment returns.
2. TWR Calculation Formula:
- TWR calculates the rate of return for various sub-periods based on changes in cash flow.
- The formula is given as: TWR = [(1+HP1) x (1+HP2) x ... x (1+HPn)] – 1.
- HP represents the return for each sub-period, considering changes in the portfolio's beginning and ending values, as well as cash flow.
3. Comparison with Rate of Return (RoR):
- TWR is suitable for comparing the performance of multiple investments, as it eliminates the effects of cash flow.
- Rate of Return (RoR) calculates the return on a single investment and does not eliminate the effects of cash flow.
- RoR is expressed as a percentage and is calculated using the formula: RoR = (Net profit or loss / initial investment) x 100.
4. TWR for Individual Investors:
- TWR is emphasized as a tool for analysts and professionals assessing and comparing asset performance within a portfolio.
- Individual investors are advised to use Rate of Return (RoR) for a simpler calculation when assessing the return on a specific investment.
In summary, the article underscores the importance of TWR in professional investment analysis, especially in the context of mutual funds. It distinguishes TWR from the simpler Rate of Return calculation, providing clarity on when each metric is most appropriately employed. This understanding is crucial for investors aiming to make informed decisions about their portfolios.
